Obituary - A. J. Stanley
East Liverpool Tribune
Mystery Surrounds Death of Aged Man-Found Dead
After Fall Down Stairway
Lifeless Body of A. J. Stanley Found Lying In Heap In Pool
Of Blood at Home of Son-In-Law, Leonard Townley, Sheridan
Avenue-Fractured Skull Caused Death.
Townley Claims He Did Not Hear Father-In-Law Wandering Around
During Night-Stanley Was Enlisted Soldier In Civil War.
Lying in a heap in a pool of blood at the foot of the stairs, Leonard Townley, a potter, came upon the lifeless body of his father-in-law, A. J. Stanley, aged 62, Sunday morning (May 14, 1911) at the former's home, 711 Sheridan avenue. His skull had been fractured by the fall and so great being the impact against the floor that blood spurted from both ears, the hemorrhages, according to the statement of the physicians who examined the body, being responsible for the unfortunate man's death.
The discovery of the body was made at 8 o'clock Sunday morning. Dr. W. A. Hobbs was reached over the telephone and made a hurried trip to the home, but found the man beyond all human aid. According to the physician's statement death had come several hours before the body being cold when he arrived.
Stanley had spent the night at his son-in-law's home, but Townley disclaims any knowledge of any usual noise that might throw some light on the mystery surrounding his father-in-law's death. Coroner W. A. Beane, upon receiving notice of the finding of the body, visited the Townley home, and spent sometime in quizzing the members of the home in an effort to determine whether or not Stanley might have been a victim of foul play, but as to what conclusion the coroner reached as the result of his investigation was not learned.
It was stated at police headquarters last night, however, that the coroner would go deeper into the case today, which is taken to mean that he considers the matter sufficiently grave as to merit the most careful investigation. Should a crime be proven there is do doubt but that the city authorities will lose no time in bringing the guilty ones to justice.
Drinking Reported to Police
It was reported to the police that there had been drinking at the Townley home Saturday evening, and that at times the occupants were very noisy and boisterous. The clamor became so loud that one of the neighbors found it necessary to call an officer, that quiet might be restored. When questioned by the police Sunday morning, Townley is said to have admitted that there had been drinking in his home, but disclaimed any knowledge of quarreling that might have been responsible for Stanley's death.
Stanley's home adjoins that of the son-in-law's, and it was his custom, is it said, to frequently spend the night there.
Stanley was an engineer by trade, but for sometime past he had not been following that occupation. When the new baseball park was opened in the West End, he was given employment as the caretaker of the grounds. It was at the close of his duties at the park Saturday that he repaired with Townley to the latter's home.
Stanley was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted a the ageof 13, being one of the youngest persons who saw active service during that trying time of the country's history.
The deceased is survived by his widow and the following children: Mrs. Eva Copestick, Mrs. Ethel Townley and Edna, Everett and Clarence Stanley, all of this city.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Stanley home, the Sons of Veterans being in charge. The body will be laid to rest in Riverview cemetery.
Another Version of the Affair.
Another version of the affair is that the body was first discovered by William Ecklers, a nephew of Stanley's. Ecklers stated yesterday that he went to the Townley home to bid his uncle goodbye. He was about to leave with his brother for Gallipolis, O., where the latter was going to enter a hospital.
Eckles says he asked Townley where Stanley was. The latter said he supposed he was sleeping in the front room. Eckles failed to locate his uncle there. Decending the stairs he found him at the bottom, huddled up in a heap.
Stanley and Townley attended the ball game at West End park Saturday afternoon and were down town together Saturday evening.
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